Right now
Right now as of Oct 29, 2026
- Status Closed to all traffic, pedestrians included, since May 12, 2025, for a bridge replacement and trail and staircase rehabilitation. The NPS alerts feed still listed the closure on October 29, 2026, and NPS has given no reopening date.
Status note (Oct 29, 2026): Closed to all traffic, pedestrians included, since May 12, 2025, for a bridge replacement and trail and staircase rehabilitation. The NPS alerts feed still listed the closure on October 29, 2026, and NPS has given no reopening date. What the status labels mean
Dingmans Falls is a cascade on Dingmans Creek in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, near Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania. Wikipedia puts it at 130 feet. Normally, an accessible 0.3-mile boardwalk leads from the visitor center to its base. NPS closed the road, visitor center and trail to everyone on May 12, 2025, for a bridge replacement. The site was still closed on October 29, 2026, with no reopening date. For an open waterfall in the same park, visit Raymondskill Falls.
About Dingmans Falls
Dingmans Falls is a cascade on Dingmans Creek in the Pennsylvania part of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, near Dingmans Ferry in Pike County. In normal times, a boardwalk leads from the visitor center to its base.
NPS gives no height. Wikipedia's list of the park's waterfalls puts the total at 130 feet, with about 80 feet of cascade visible from the base. We could not confirm those numbers with the park.
The boardwalk to Dingmans Falls also passes Silverthread Falls, a narrow waterfall that Wikipedia puts at about 80 feet. NPS bans ice climbing, climbing, rappelling and jumping at Silverthread to protect threatened plants.
The current closure is for a bridge replacement and the rehabilitation of the trail and staircase. It covers the access road, the visitor center and the trail, and NPS says it applies to pedestrians too. You cannot walk in from the road.
Getting there and parking
You can't reach Dingmans Falls right now, because the visitor center lot is closed along with the rest of the site. In normal times, you reach the falls from that lot at the end of Dingmans Falls Road, off US-209. Don't park nearby and walk in, because the closure applies to people on foot.
When the site is open, NPS does not allow buses and RVs in the lot on weekends or federal holidays. Accessible restrooms are at the trailhead when the site is open.
Visiting the falls is free when it is open. Don't confuse it with 'Dingmans Access' on the NPS fee list. That is a river access area, a different site, where the 2026 Expanded Amenity Fee was $10 per vehicle per day, collected through October 13, 2026.
While Dingmans is closed, Raymondskill Falls in the same park is open. It has two free lots on Raymondskill Road and a short, steep loop to two viewing platforms. NPS calls it the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania.
Our guide to waterfalls in Pennsylvania has more of the state's falls. Bushkill Falls, a private park also in Pike County, charges admission. Our Bushkill page lists it as open for the 2026 season as of October 18, 2026, and closed December through March.
Map and nearby falls
Map loads as you scroll. Open in OpenStreetMap
OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map
The hike
When it is open, the Dingmans Creek Trail is 0.4 mile one way to the top viewing area, or 0.8 mile round trip, according to NPS. It comes in two very different parts.
The first 0.3 mile is a boardwalk that NPS lists as wheelchair and stroller accessible. It passes Silverthread Falls and ends at the base of Dingmans Falls, climbing 55 feet along the way. NPS rates this part easy.
The last 0.1 mile is steep wooden stairs to a fenced overlook at the top of the falls. The stairs climb 107 feet, and NPS rates them moderate. They are not accessible, and the staircase is part of the current rehabilitation work.
Dogs are not allowed on the trail. NPS allows service dogs only and says emotional support and therapy animals are not permitted. NPS also bans picnicking on the trail and the viewing platforms.
When to visit
Dingmans Falls is closed, so there is no good time to go right now. NPS closed it on May 12, 2025, and its alerts feed still listed the closure on October 29, 2026. The NPS conditions page, updated May 21, 2026, gives no reopening date.
Target dates have come and gone. WRNJ reported in September 2025 that park officials expected the work to wrap up in spring 2026. Spring 2026 passed with the site still closed.
One NPS page can mislead you. The Dingmans Falls place page, updated August 15, 2026, does not mention the closure. Go by the park's alerts and conditions pages instead.
We found no published hours, best season or crowd information for when the site is open.
| Height | 130 ftNote: total, per Wikipedia only; Wikipedia says about 80 ft is visible from the base, and NPS gives no height |
|---|---|
| Trail | CLOSED since May 12, 2025. When open: 0.8 mi round trip, an accessible 0.3-mi boardwalk to the base, then 0.1 mi of steep wooden stairs to a fenced overlook at the top (NPS) |
| Difficulty | Easy on the boardwalk; moderate on the stairs (when open) |
| Entry fee | Free when open. The $10 'Dingmans Access' amenity fee on the NPS list is for a river access area, a different site. |
| Permit / reservation | None needed; the whole site is closed to all traffic for now |
| Parking | Lot closed with the site |
| Dogs | No. Service dogs only; NPS does not allow emotional support or therapy animals. |
| Swimming | No. NPS closes Dingmans Creek to swimming, wading and fishing from 100 ft above the top of the falls to the end of the parking lot. The closure includes Silverthread Falls' pool. |
| Wheelchair / stroller | Partly, when open: the boardwalk to the base is accessible; the stairs to the top are not (NPS) |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Restrooms | Accessible restrooms at the trailhead when the site is open (NPS) |
| Managed by | National Park Service, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area |
Safety and swimming
Respect the closure. It covers the road, the visitor center and the trail, and NPS says it applies to all traffic, including pedestrians. Stay out of the work zone until NPS announces a reopening.
The NPS water rules are separate from the closure. NPS closes Dingmans Creek to swimming, wading and fishing from 100 feet above the top of the falls down to the end of the parking lot. That includes the pool at Silverthread Falls.
Watch from the boardwalk and the fenced overlook, and take the steep stairs slowly. Never climb at Silverthread Falls, where NPS bans climbing and jumping. Our waterfall safety guide has more advice.
Where to stay near Dingmans Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Dingmans Ferry.
See places to stay nearbyAffiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Partners do not see or change our waterfall facts. Disclosure.
Photos
Dingmans Falls FAQ
Is Dingmans Falls or its visitor center open right now?
No. The access road, visitor center and trail have been closed to all traffic, pedestrians included, since May 12, 2025. The NPS alerts feed still listed the closure on October 29, 2026, and NPS has given no reopening date.
How long is the Dingmans Falls trail?
0.8 mile round trip, per NPS, when the site is open. An accessible 0.3-mile boardwalk reaches the base, and 0.1 mile of steep stairs climbs to a fenced overlook at the top.
Is Dingmans Falls wheelchair accessible?
Partly, when the site is open. NPS says the boardwalk to the base is wheelchair and stroller accessible. The stairs to the top are not.
Is there a fee for Dingmans Falls?
No. Visiting Dingmans Falls is free when the site is open. The $10 'Dingmans Access' fee on the NPS list is for a river access area, which is a different site.
Are dogs allowed at Dingmans Falls?
No. Only service dogs are allowed. NPS does not allow emotional support or therapy animals on the trail.
What can I visit instead of Dingmans Falls?
Raymondskill Falls, in the same park, is open. Parking is free, and a short, steep loop leads to two viewing platforms.
When will Dingmans Falls reopen?
NPS has not given a date. It closed the whole site for a bridge replacement and work on the trail and staircase. WRNJ reported in September 2025 that park officials expected the work to wrap up in spring 2026. As of October 29, 2026, the NPS alerts feed still lists the area as closed.
How tall is Dingmans Falls?
About 130 feet in total, according to Wikipedia's list of Delaware Water Gap waterfalls, with about 80 feet visible from the base. NPS gives no height. Silverthread Falls, a narrow fall near the start of the same boardwalk, is about 80 feet, also per Wikipedia.
Nearby waterfalls
More waterfalls to explore
Sources
- NPS Delaware Water Gap: Dingmans Creek Trail (updated May 28, 2025)
- NPS Delaware Water Gap: Alerts feed (JSON)
- NPS Delaware Water Gap: Current conditions (updated May 21, 2026)
- NPS: Dingmans Falls (place page, Aug 15, 2026)
- NPS Delaware Water Gap: Fees & Passes (updated Oct 13, 2026)
- NPS Delaware Water Gap: Waterfalls
- WRNJ: Dingmans Falls area closed until 2026 for bridge, trail work (Jay Edwards, Sep 18, 2025)
- Wikipedia: List of waterfalls in the Delaware Water Gap
- NPS Delaware Water Gap: Raymondskill Creek Trail
- Bushkill Falls: Park admission fees
- Bushkill Falls: Park hours and general information
Last verified Oct 29, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with National Park Service, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.